custodial

adjective

cus·​to·​di·​al ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-əl How to pronounce custodial (audio)
1
a
: relating to guardianship
b
: relating to, providing, or being protective care or services for basic needs
nursing and custodial care
2
: having sole or primary custody of a child
the custodial parent

Examples of custodial in a Sentence

Her mother is the custodial parent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Habeas has been the vehicle for challenging interference with child custodial rights, involuntary commitment to inpatient treatment or psychiatric care, military induction, restrictive conditions of pretrial release, probation or parole, and banishment from tribal lands, to name a few examples. Andrea Seielstad, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2025 The time to erect permanent barriers against the progressive vision of a custodial administrative state—one that subsumes business, states, communities, and households—is now. Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 Balmer has primary physical custodial responsibilities while Jones has partial responsibilities. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 The new form and rules would have subjected DeFi brokers to the same reporting rules as brokers for securities and operators of custodial digital asset trading platforms. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for custodial

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of custodial was in 1678

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Custodial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/custodial. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

custodial

adjective
cus·​to·​di·​al ˌkəs-ˈtōd-ē-əl How to pronounce custodial (audio)
1
: relating to, providing, or being protective care or services for basic needs
nursing and custodial care
2
: having sole or primary custody of a child
the custodial parent

Legal Definition

custodial

adjective
cus·​to·​di·​al kə-ˈstō-dē-əl How to pronounce custodial (audio)
1
: occurring during or in connection with custody
a custodial interrogation
2
: having sole custody or custody a greater portion of the time
a custodial parent
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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